Narendra Dabholkar case: CBI chargesheet by Nov 18

The CBI is likely to file a charge sheet by November 18 against those arrested for the killing of Pune-based rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013, the Bombay High Court was told on Wednesday.

The central agency has so far arrested or secured the custody of seven persons in the case. Several of them are also alleged to have played a role in the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru last September.

Dabholkar (68), known for his pioneering work in eradication of superstitious practices in Maharashtra, was shot dead on August 20, 2013 in Pune while he was taking a morning walk.

The bench has directed them to file further progress reports by November 22, the next date of hearing.

In further trouble for fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, a Surat court on Wednesday proclaimed him as an absconder in a case related to alleged diversion of diamonds/pearls from Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units.